Poland’s defence minister stated Russian plane was ‘escorted’ from space and didn’t pose rapid safety risk.
Revealed On 26 Dec 2025
Poland stated its air pressure intercepted a “Russian reconnaissance plane” flying close to the border of its airspace simply hours after monitoring suspected smuggling balloons coming from the route of neighbouring Belarus.
“This morning, over the worldwide waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets intercepted, visually recognized, and escorted a Russian reconnaissance plane flying close to the border of Polish airspace from their space of duty,” the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces stated in a submit on X on Thursday.
Really helpful Tales
checklist of 4 gadgetsfinish of checklist
Polish forces additionally tracked unknown “objects” flying within the route of Poland from Belarus through the earlier night time, prompting Warsaw to quickly shut civilian airspace within the northeast of the nation.
“After detailed evaluation, it was decided that these have been more than likely smuggling balloons, shifting within the route and on the pace of the wind. Their flight was constantly monitored by our radar techniques,” Operational Command stated.
The submit didn’t disclose any additional particulars in regards to the quantity or dimension of the balloons.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on X that the incidents didn’t pose a right away risk to Poland’s safety, and he thanked the “practically 20,000 of our troopers who, through the Holidays, watch over our security”.
“All provocations over the Baltic Sea and close to the border with Belarus have been beneath the total management of the Polish Military,” he stated.
Translation: One other busy night time for the operational providers of the Polish Military. All provocations, each over the Baltic Sea and over the border with Belarus, have been beneath full management. I thank practically 20,000 of our troopers who, through the Holidays, watch over our security – and as will be seen – accomplish that extraordinarily successfully.
The Belarusian and Russian embassies in Warsaw didn’t instantly reply to the Reuters information company’s requests for remark.
Smuggler balloons from Belarus have repeatedly disrupted air visitors in neighbouring Lithuania, forcing airport closures. Lithuania says the balloons are despatched by smugglers transporting cigarettes and represent a “hybrid assault” by Belarus, an in depth ally of Russia. Belarus has denied duty for the balloons.
The newest air alerts in Poland got here three months after Poland and NATO forces shot down greater than a dozen Russian drones as they flew over Polish airspace between September 9 and 10.
The occasion was the biggest incursion of its type on Polish airspace since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Following the incident, NATO-member Poland referred to as an emergency session of the United Nations Safety Council to debate the “blatant violation of the UN Constitution ideas and the customary legislation”.
Polish International Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated on the time that Russia was testing how rapidly NATO international locations may reply to threats.
